Tuesday, May 16, 2006

I suspect many Michigan fans will be puzzled by the title of this post.

Yes, Ecker should have run out of bounds towards the end of the tOSU game (though I doubt it would have made a difference in the outcome.)

And, of course Ecker screwed up by not pitching the ball to pleading speedster Steve Breaston at the end of the Alamo Bowl, which would have almost certainly led to a game-winning touchdown and a highlight we would see a few times every year for the rest of our lives.

But I like Tyler Ecker. Here are a few reasons why:

...he's made big plays for us in the past, including a huge 30-yard sideline reception to sew up a victory over tOSU in 2003.

...he could be one of the nation's top tight ends if we make a concerted effort to get him the ball (DeBord helped Tuman become First Team All Big Ten, perhaps he can do the same for Ecker.)

I'm going on record early with the belief that when we are faced with a critical third and six late late in a key game next year, we will want to see the ball thrown to Ecker and we won't be disappointed with the outcome if it is.

Yeah, that's fine to toss him the ball when we need a dependable 3rd and 5-10 conversion, but just do not let him have the ball when any sort of clock management strategy is required. Clearly he is to late game decision making what Shaq is to clutch free-throws.

Now what the heck sort of celebration did he perform after someone else scored?

No question you're both absolutely right. Other than to say that Ecker was not being selfish, there is no way to defend his failure to pitch the ball to Breaston.

But I still think he's a solid player and a potentially huge weapon for us. Hopefully, we'll be able to use him as he should be used next year, rather than depending on him to make a smart decision on a circus play or to simply run out of bounds in a chaotic attempt to overcome another blown 4th quarter lead.

Cowolverine and Trojan Mike:I may be completely off on this, but I vaguely recall Ecker doing some sort of ass-slapping, pelvic-gyrating, riding a pony maneuver during an endzone celebration last year or maybe the year before. I think it was one of the two plays I mentioned in the original post, though perhaps it was after one of our tds at State.

Of course, it's possible he never actually did this dance and that it exists only in my imagination. If that's the case, then I think I need to further explore my feelings for Ecker. And probably have a chat with my wife.

IC's point is well-taken. Ecker, despite a couple of bonehead plays, is a huge talent. He has great hands, is big, and can get open. If we can effectively use him the way we occasionally have used TEs, it could really open up the offense.I vaguely remember the dance IC refers to, but can't nail down which game it was performed. I think it was this past season, though, and I recall it was a home game. No penalty was called.

Don't forget when he took it to the house vs. Minnesota in 2004 to set up that comeback.

OR that the last pass play of the Wisconsin game was an incomplete pass to Ecker as well. I mean, before Henne fell on his ass.

Unfortunately, I regard him with a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately stance. In that sense, he's worthless. He turned what would've been the most amazing play in college football history into dust with his selfishness.

How has he made up for it? In the spring game, Henne's first pass on the first offensive play was a pass to Ecker. Naturally, he dropped it.

I was in the marching band. The Alamo Bowl was the last play I'll ever see in that uniform, in that perspective, with those people. That was my last play I saw as a student. What a miserable and pathetic way to go out. Ecker is going to have a HELL of a year to earn any respect back from me.

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